The Los Angeles Lakers have suffered an untimely death of another family member. Elden Campbell, the former center of the Los Angeles Lakers who was part of the NBA championship winning team of the Detroit Pistons in 2004, passed away at the age of 57. The ex-Lakers (1990-1999), Hornets, Pistons, Nets, and Pistons player was found dead due to unknown reasons. Elden Campbell, who took home over $69 million in his 15-year NBA journey, had a scoring average of 10.3 points and 5.9 rebounds. Moreover, he was also worth $20 million. Throughout his NBA career, Elden’s salary alone was about $70 million.
Inside Elden Campbell’s illustrious career and glorifying legacy
Elden Campbell, who played in the NBA for 15 seasons, from 1990 to 2005, was always a reliable and constant figure. He was a power forward and center, and his versatility, together with his defensive skills, shot-blocking, and scoring, allowed him to build a successful and long-term career with various teams, particularly with the Lakers, where he was the main man for most of his prime. Though never selected as an All-Star, Campbell played the “go-to guy” role in different teams and even took the ring home with the Pistons in 2004. The mix of his big body, great skills, and lots of experience counted a lot and thus his long stay in the league was made possible.The Lakers of Los Angeles picked Campbell as the 27th pick during the 1990 NBA Draft. In the beginning of his career, he was a backup for famous big guys like Vlade Divac and Sam Perkins, but slowly he got more playing time because of his fame as a shot-blocker and rebounder. Elden Campbell scored an average of 14.9 points per match for the Lakers in the season of 1996-97, while he was playing with two other stars, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. The peak of Campbell’s career was the time he spent with the Charlotte Hornets, where he posted averages of 15.3 points and 9.4 rebounds.Elden Campbell had only earned $69 million during his 15 years in the NBA. He had an average of 10.3 points and 5.9 rebounds.
Elden Campbell’ journey peaked in 1997 and later shaped Detroit’s 2004 title run
The best times of Campbell’s career with the Lakers were in the 1990s middle to end. He was in the 1996-97 season already a steady starter and one of the most productive players in the interior of the team. His scoring and rebounding numbers were the highest in his career during the 1996-97 campaign. However, the arrival of Shaquille O’Neal in 1996 reduced Campbell’s role, and he was finally traded to the Charlotte Hornets in 1999. After the Hornets moved to New Orleans in 2002 he was with the new New Orleans Hornets only a short time before getting traded to the Seattle SuperSonics. Campbell’s life as a player took a major shift when in 2003 he inked a deal with the Detroit Pistons.He was a key backup player in Detroit’s 2004 championship run, helping the Pistons overcome the strongly favored Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. Following his championship win, Campbell briefly played for the New Jersey Nets then returned to the Pistons before retiring in 2005.Elden Campbell, an NBA champion with the Detroit Pistons, was involved in the mother of all basketball battles. On November 19, 2004, the NBA witnessed the worst fight in American professional sports history: Malice at the Palace.
About the Author
